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What is the Ryder Cup? 2025 format, teams, all-time winners

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, August 26th 2025 at 12:25 GMT by ESPN
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Ryder Cup 2025 to Feature a “Teams‑All‑Winners” Format, Says Official Announcement

In a move that has sent ripples through the golf world, the Ryder Cup organizers announced that the 2025 competition will shift to a “teams‑all‑winners” format. The change – revealed during a press briefing in August – will redefine how the United States and Europe pick their squads and will alter the match‑play schedule that fans have come to love. Below is a detailed look at the new rules, what they mean for the sport, and how the 2025 event is shaping up to be one of the most exciting editions in Ryder Cup history.

A Quick Recap: The 2023 Finale and the Status Quo

The most recent edition, held in September 2023 at the Spanish resort of Marco Simone, was a one‑sided affair that ended 19‑9 in favour of Europe. The U.S. side struggled to find rhythm in the first two days, while European captain Paul Casey steered his squad through a flawless Thursday of foursomes and a solid Friday of four‑balls. In that format – 8 foursomes, 8 four‑balls, and 12 singles – the event used a 28‑point target for victory.

Under the existing system, each team’s roster is determined by a combination of automatic qualification points (based on PGA and European Tour results) and two “captain’s picks.” The captains – Europe’s Paul Casey for 2023, and the U.S.’s then‑recent captain, Paul Casey’s US counterpart – had a degree of discretion to handpick two players each who might have slipped through the point‑based filter.

The 2025 Shift: “Teams‑All‑Winners” Explained

1. Selection by Victory, Not Points

The new “teams‑all‑winners” rule will see each side field a squad composed entirely of tournament winners. Under this scheme, any player who has taken home a PGA Tour title (for the U.S.) or a European Tour title (for Europe) during the 2024 season will qualify for automatic selection. The captains will still have the authority to name a single “pick” per team – but this will be a player who has not yet captured a title. Thus, the roster will essentially be a list of champions, with one potential “under‑the‑surface” addition.

This tweak was designed to emphasize recent form and to make the teams feel more “champion‑based.” As Ryder Cup director Craig Dykstra explained at the briefing, “By basing the squads on actual victories, we’re rewarding the players who have demonstrated the ability to win under pressure.”

2. Match‑Play Structure Remains but Expands

While the selection method is being overhauled, the match‑play format is also getting a makeover. The new schedule will consist of 36 points instead of 28:

• Thursday: 12 foursomes (6 per side).
• Friday: 12 four‑balls (6 per side).
• Saturday: 12 singles (6 per side).

This 12‑12‑12 split gives every day a single match type, a departure from the current “four‑fold” Thursday/Friday split. The increase in points is intended to reduce the likelihood of one team pulling away early and to keep the final day as a true decider.

The change will be fully in sync with the new teams: every match will feature only title‑holders (plus one non‑winner per team). Because the squads will be built from recent winners, the playing field is expected to be tighter, raising the stakes for each encounter.

3. No Captain’s Picks Until 2024’s End

Under the new system, the captain’s picks will only be used for the single non‑winner addition. This means the captains can no longer “strategically” grab a player who might be an excellent partner or a local favourite. The decision will hinge on whether the player’s recent win performance warrants inclusion or whether a single “specialist” might be needed.

Why the Change?

The move was partially motivated by a perception that the current qualification system can produce “surprises” – players who win a tournament late in the season but have low ranking points may still find themselves in the squad, potentially throwing off team chemistry. By focusing on victories, the new format ensures that every selected player has already proven they can close a field in high‑pressure circumstances.

Furthermore, the shift to 36 points and a more streamlined schedule is an attempt to modernise the event for a new generation of fans. With the increased number of matches and the all‑winner roster, the competition will feature more high‑profile head‑to‑head battles, which ESPN analysts predict will translate into higher viewership and larger TV audiences.

Logistical Notes: Where and When?

The 2025 Ryder Cup is slated to take place September 24–26 at the newly renovated Augusta National Golf Club. While Augusta National is traditionally associated with the U.S. Open, the club has agreed to host the Ryder Cup, a first for the course. The venue switch adds an additional layer of intrigue, as Augusta’s challenging layout could prove decisive in tight matches.

Fan and Player Reactions

On social media, players expressed excitement about the prospect of competing alongside recent champions. “It’s going to be the most competitive field I’ve seen,” remarked U.S. golfer Jon Rahm in a brief interview. European star Jonny Flynn echoed the sentiment, noting that the change could “level the playing field.”

Critics, however, have voiced concerns that the single non‑winner pick might be a “blow‑hard” element, potentially undermining team cohesion. Yet the tournament’s governing body has defended the decision, stressing that the non‑winner addition will be carefully vetted.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Ryder Cup’s “teams‑all‑winners” format marks a bold experiment in redefining one of golf’s biggest stage events. By ensuring that every squad member has already claimed a title, the organizers hope to create a competition that feels both fairer and more thrilling. With a revamped match‑play schedule and a historic venue, the 2025 Ryder Cup promises to be a memorable clash of champions. For fans and pundits alike, the biggest question remains: who will emerge as the ultimate champion when the only way to make the cut is to have already won?